When summer vacation begins, many student-athletes trade sleeping in for early mornings and long practices. Summer is the foundation for fall sports at Granada Hills Charter (GHC) as athletes prepare physically and mentally for the upcoming season. Their hard work builds not only strong teams, but Highlander pride. 

Football, for example, trained relentlessly with 5:00 a.m. conditioning sessions to sharpen fitness and focus. 

“Practice was a very important part of our day which boosted our work rate for this season,” senior Joey Canto said. 

Motivated by last year’s Homecoming loss to Kennedy High School, and the loss of rivalry trophy “Tina,” the team is definitely focusing on that game. 

“I’m looking most forward to the Kennedy game to bring back Tina and get our revenge,” senior Bryan Ibanez said. 

The Highlander cheerleaders also spent their summer preparing their bodies and chants with 6:00-8:00 a.m. practices and a camp at UC Santa Barbara. 

“During the summer it was very important to prepare for the sidelines which helped us for the upcoming season especially for my senior year,” senior Paula Gomez said.

Girls basketball and volleyball kept busy as well. Basketball, which reached the regional semifinals last season, practiced with Major Girl Hoops and competed in a Las Vegas tournament.

“During the summer we did a lot of clinics and tournaments which allowed me to get better handles on the ball and also allowed me to bond with my new teammates,” freshman Isabella Alvarez said. 

Girls volleyball, coming off a state playoff run, improved teamwork and strategy, defeating Golden Valley High School 5-0 in a summer scrimmage.

Whether football, cheer, basketball, volleyball or our other programs, GHC athletics fuel school spirit. Their summer dedication builds community and reminds us what it means to be a Highlander.